[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6079308,"mediaKeyId","2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d","parentId",2956125,"title","Committee presses for oversight of utility tree pruning; votes to request no‑fee permit for FPL contractors","audioSeconds",748,"startMs",5760000,"endMs",6508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d&start=5760&end=6508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d/thumbnail_5760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079308/Florida/Committee-presses-for-oversight-of-utility-tree-pruning-votes-to-request-nofee-permit-for-FPL-contractors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079308-6add68a8523eab3de72e929203f86854/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954853&Signature=GlvosjUK1WIQVCdY-tlFm6VUdhWjHx3WC7IAiRQixq9Pe28e~~-f4uVl0DKwNiQCB4ihYMbYUiE1rkvpZjzDns-nWpPREGwruDtaMvOEnc4iYpnwmAKs0f~kYmlaCcPuIHlRMY38NEga0~1p~BYsou3IXTR8~Jwyr-YJJ4hGfX6~TeRD7w4TMpB5R6GL~tx8fNiV76M6xcOEFz9jXZ7W6Ys5Z63fgl4Nda3aWhCmupc-oq03sAzbRej5K3Ttbyxdk6zNMItwqhM3DuUJSIEvpOcWUbWK3iOj7AKZ7psLEttIcX63c914WPDBKWqK3R3tosW7VZxsIuHmVJkTpLsJNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Tequesta, FL","date","2025-04-11T03:45:00.393Z","article","Committee members raised concerns about recent, severe line‑clearance pruning along Seabrook/Seabrook Drive that trimmed large oaks into V‑cuts and left unattractive, possibly structurally compromised crowns. Members described the work as consistent with utility vegetation‑management standards but visually and structurally problematic in village streetscapes.

\"It's temporarily ugly,\" one committee member said, and committee discussion referenced the utility's state authority to prune to protect infrastructure. Staff reported that in other jurisdictions a no‑fee notification permit for utility pruning has been used so the municipality can monitor compliance with arboricultural standards.

Motion and vote: Committee member motioned that staff ask the Village Council to consider creating a no‑fee permit/notification requirement for FPL and contractors so the village can be notified and monitor trimming activity; another committee member seconded the motion. The committee voted in favor and the motion passed.

Other meeting votes: the committee approved the meeting agenda as modified earlier in the session and accepted the minutes from the February meeting; both motions carried without opposition.

Why it matters: committee members said severe pruning can reduce canopy cover, harm tree health, and create safety concerns for adjacent property (for example, limbs hanging over parking areas). Staff noted that if a utility trench or undergrounding project occurred as part of redevelopment it could affect longer‑term decisions, but until then the committee asked staff to pursue a nonfee, administrative mechanism so the village can monitor utility contractors and enforce best‑practice pruning standards.

Ending: staff said they would incorporate the no‑fee permit idea into an upcoming code update and follow up with FPL and with the building official; the committee passed the motion to send the recommendation to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Apr 09 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee debated FPL-style overhead line vegetation management and passed a motion requesting that the village council consider a no‑fee notification/permit so staff can monitor utility pruning work; the meeting also approved the agenda and accepted prior minutes.","taxTitle","Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",71873,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6079313,"Jupiter Narrows alliance seeks permits and funding to restore mangrove islands, proposes naming in memory of Andrew Red Harris",4634,739000,5373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d&start=739&end=5373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6079313/Florida/Jupiter-Narrows-alliance-seeks-permits-and-funding-to-restore-mangrove-islands-proposes-naming-in-memory-of-Andrew-Red-Harris","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079313-2ff0c9b8d3dbd9dd68c506d80e971368/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954853&Signature=L-ezIJ6opCM462-tJK4~cu0Dl~svlWFRFh0MjOkUl187x79EzlvdHG5kiuDHsiDmJMfjCF8b2CrVpdUdzQSCTy9syFOLshbrh28bYQUjBr6AXJqYfcoRLOYkQ1uxjjot8Gco6gHI6Sean2carlCX1czUhxaR69tNwrg3QMpB4s0ZD~tMFBOZ~NXo9-bBFJvz8RzZ37~V-pAsdrwjplOru3tXZ6uj3~1ZqNR62WId90sOC0n01TaO4pehdt1mtIUX1boxhhvl3h4aFLjrjcAhK4ZKBW2HvfCNmjM8bCawDzHjDOtxf49sjE1-yDDHS5ARKXq21lSTpoGqHas24Kjzlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sue Panella, co‑founder and president of the Jupiter Narrows Conservancy Alliance, told the Environmental Advisory Committee that a community-led effort aims to stabilize and restore three remnant mangrove islands north of Coral Cove Park by installing natural limestone breakwaters, protecting mangrove toe zones and planting additional mangroves where elevations allow.

\"We hired Taylor Engineering and they are in permitting,\" Panella said. She described coordination with the Bureau of Land Management's nearby project and with state and federal permitters, and she said the project includes a three‑year monitoring plan to document ecological response.

Why it matters: the islands historically supported mangroves and seagrass and now show severe erosion and dieback. Panella said similar breakwater projects have led to substantial seagrass recovery elsewhere: Taylor Engineering's monitoring of a site cited an 860% increase in seagrass over five years following breakwater construction.

Project scope and financing: Panella said the engineering estimate about nine months earlier was roughly $1 million, with about 20% for engineering. She said the alliance has raised more than half of the target and had recent commitments bringing the total to nearly $750,000 if matching gifts materialize. Major pledged support includes a $175,000 commitment from the Andrew Red Harris Foundation and grants or commitments from local foundations and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program.

Permitting and timeline: Panella said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requested additional information and had a set of questions; Taylor Engineering planned to submit responses this week, after which DEP would have 30 days to reply. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also involved; Panella said the alliance hopes to secure permits by late summer or early fall so construction could be completed by year‑end or early next year if bids and funding align.

Community outreach and naming: the alliance is seeking local letters of support and proposed naming the islands the \"Andrew Red Harris Islands\" in recognition of a local foundation donor; Panella said she has discussed the idea with the village mayor and local elected officials and asked the committee for help sharing the name informally and supporting a letter for state naming consideration.

Boating, speed limits and protections: Taylor Engineering discussed the potential benefit of a lower local speed limit for wake reduction; Panella said speed limits help but will not entirely prevent wake impacts from large boats. The design proposes breakwaters located to permit kayakers, paddleboarders and manatees to transit at high tide while reducing wave energy that undermines mangrove roots.

Ending: Panella asked for continued local support for permitting, fundraising and outreach, and committee members offered letters of support, help with publicity and ideas for additional local donors.","Sue Panella, co‑founder of the Jupiter Narrows Conservancy Alliance, updated the Tequesta committee on permitting, fundraising and community outreach for a planned breakwater and mangrove restoration project in the Jupiter Narrows, and reported substantial private fundraising and a $175,000 commitment from the Andrew Red Harris Foundation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6079318,"Loxahatchee River District outlines monitoring results, calls for stronger stormwater controls in Tequesta",2507,84000,2591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d&start=84&end=2591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956125-d105561067e7345943030f4f66eda96d/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6079318/Florida/Loxahatchee-River-District-outlines-monitoring-results-calls-for-stronger-stormwater-controls-in-Tequesta","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079318-6893cb1c3879dff9d8137db01f65e6d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954853&Signature=REcQyzayL2SvdiNP~lvdHaVZIYJ2i1fxCUPcIlqh-4wN1acnukNKqMZe1IVDUpPHWudmXVFkFcd33hQimuVizdTi1ik4FyY6I7wGPUnNVCFtvhqjiTJscEl0Zd0OGIP6Y3ZM6VeE-8hAqZ7sZtui6gbkk5VG37hgyYI2iblb92oY3REHFAA-KmU-AhMMcjYYiGwkfLMzAtlLlcM1Tx9jMT9aAbTUeFaVc3jZVxCT3maU5AaWpSZz9XOdvfag24W1~9epQokJXLKiPNxeOojXcFyQeNrB7i-vPJqqZT4RnV2jIkRr1AEVo4uqJnvWTmnuFUbEXowuh6qqddfl1TT-jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bud Howard, director of information services at the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, told the Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee on Wednesday that decades of monitoring show the Loxahatchee River remains ecologically valuable but vulnerable to local stormwater inputs.

Howard said the district treats 6 to 7 million gallons of wastewater per day and operates a long-running monitoring program, Riverkeeper, with samples going back to 1991. He described weekly and monthly bacteria sampling, continuous salinity instrumentation at multiple stations and longer-term surveys of nutrients, seagrass and oysters.

\"We do weekly bacteria testing,\" Howard said. \"Salinity is an important factor\" that helps managers understand how marine water moves into historically freshwater areas. He added the district posts data and visualizations online at lrecd.org.

Howard emphasized three takeaways: brown or tannin-stained water is not necessarily polluted; the Loxahatchee River is not connected to Lake Okeechobee; and much local bacteria and organic loading originates from runoff and storm drains rather than only septic systems. \"Most of the properties east of I‑95 are on centralized sewer,\" he said. \"But we're still seeing high bacteria\" from sources such as pet waste, grass clippings and construction site sediment.

Why it matters: committee members pressed Howard on construction-site controls, pool discharges and enforcement. Howard said many stormwater systems in older neighborhoods were designed only to move water quickly to the river, not to treat it, which sends organics, fine sediments and bacteria directly into the estuary and contributes to organic-rich muck that harms seagrass.

Supporting details from the presentation:
- The district’s Riverkeeper program and volunteer monitoring include monthly and quarterly sampling of many parameters; long-term datasets allow trend analysis back to 1991.
- Instrumentation records 15-minute salinity that shows large tidal swings; Howard noted marine water pushed upstream during dry periods can reach areas that historically stayed fresh, stressing freshwater-dependent species.
- Seagrass coverage in the estuary has trended downward since 2008; Howard said upstream sites showed the greatest decline and rainfall patterns appear related to recent variability.
- Oyster restoration trials under private docks and larger pilot projects have produced flourishing beds in some areas; some experimental sites failed where underlying muck overtook structures.
- The district participates in wastewater surveillance for viruses (including COVID fragments) via weekly flow-proportional samples; Howard described partnerships with BioBot and a Verily/academic consortium.

Regulatory and partnership context: Howard said the river is federally designated as a Wild and Scenic River and parts are within a state aquatic preserve. He described involvement with the Department of Environmental Protection, EPA beach-watch sampling and the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council that coordinates local stakeholders on impairments and restoration that relate to state TMDL (total maximum daily load) processes.

Committee follow-up and direction: members asked about on-site enforcement for construction best-management practices and devices that protect storm drains. Village staff said the building official can issue citations and agreed to bring the building official to a future meeting to discuss construction‑site requirements and enforcement. Howard recommended public education campaigns, swale restoration, localized stormwater filters and more robust monitoring of storm drain inlets.

Howard urged a mix of public and private measures: better swale maintenance, stricter enforcement of turbidity and sediment controls on construction sites, removal/management of organic debris, and outreach to landscaping companies and homeowners. \"All the grass clippings that we see residents and landscape workers blow ... all that stuff is going straight to the river,\" he said. \"This is fundamentally wrong and I hope that we can all work together to try to improve it.\"

Ending: Committee members agreed to invite the building official to the next meeting to discuss enforcement and construction‑site maintenance. Staff noted the village participates in regional NPDES/MS4 permitting and state Clean Water Act obligations, meaning both technical fixes and enforcement are within existing regulatory frameworks.","Bud Howard of the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District presented long-term river monitoring data, described bacteria and salinity patterns, and urged local action on stormwater controls and enforcement to protect seagrass, oysters and public health.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee presses for oversight of utility tree pruning; votes to request no‑fee permit for FPL contractors

Jupiter Narrows alliance seeks permits and funding to restore mangrove islands, proposes naming in memory of Andrew Red Harris

Loxahatchee River District outlines monitoring results, calls for stronger stormwater controls in Tequesta